The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-05
FROST-BTTTEN
F~rost-bitten. eh2n

SioNAotS1 is1SN AZ" wv 49,
never mind; that's what roses arc OK
pccted to do"
Though he spoke thus lightly to hi
sister, John Rossitter walked toward tn
barn-yard with clenched hands and lip
firmly set. He did not climb to tn
NOW with his accustomed speed; the ha,
came tumbling down and he after it
with but little of his usual boyish play
fulness.
The barn doors were closed, the field
bars put up, the lane gate fastened, and
John was on the way to his room wler
he looked in at Roses open door and
surprised her in the act of hurriedly re.
placing her Bible on the table: Ht
saw at a glance just how she had been
occupied since he left h.r on the porcf
nearly half an hour before, and his heart
swclled within him.
''Rose, I'll tell you what" he began,
cxcitedly. GAS quick as you say the
word I'll settle with Fred Evarts in
something of a hurry. I'll let him
know"
30, no., John! not for the world
Fred, hasn't done anything to injure
meF'
II say he has!" growled John.
''Indeed. John, he hasn'tp
But her red lips quivered, and, seeing
this, John gathered fresh anger.
Rose, if you'll say right up and
down that Fred Eyarts never made love
to you, I'll drop the matter. Al
least
He was interrupted by little jamie, g
wee fodder, coming step by step mp the
stairs, and called them to 'fum tc
upper" Glad to end the conversation,
Rose, catching the little one in her arms,
a down the stairs. And when, ter
minutes later, John joined the family al
tea, farmer Rossitter looked up in SOM
surprise.
Seems to me you're very much dressed
this evening, john"
'I'm going out" explained, John. "May
| take the gray ponies, sir2"
You may; but don't keep them out
Iate.n
mo; Pm going only as far as the
Fords.n
Fred. Evarts lived at the Fords. Resc
looked up with wild apprehension in hcl
eyes, and then down on her untasted
custard. Her check grew pa'e.
.'What is it Rose" asked her mother.
"Why don't you eat2 What is the
child"
"Matterl I-nothing!"
Something is the matter, y began Mr..
Rossitter, but paused. The tramping OF
feet and the murinur of suppressed voices
heard without. John arose and
opened the door.
tits n surprise party, ! 'spose," said
he, g,oomily. You may as well run
and dress, Rose
me- OBJECTED Rose, whose neat calico
and dainty rilfflss were fit for i princess.
''TH receive them as ! am and then
We'll said, my sweet wild Rosela cried
Rossittcr, as, with wife and
daughter, he arose to welcome the APP
preaching procession. =
It was a fair sight to behold by the
light Of the moo The young men bore
large, heavy-ladon baskets. The girls,
gayiy dressed, carried lighted lanterns.
As they rounded from the lake to the
ALVIN their burdens were deposited on the
and the merry procession ad-
vanced to the house. One by one,
when the brief greetings were
over, the girls ran directly to Roses
room, and the young men went
% Johns domiciic, where cxtr,
were put 70 already gay toilets
md plans discussed for the evening.
Rose and John, receiving each merry
at the door, were struck spcech-
when the last pair present d them-
They were Nellie Frost and
Ere Evarts. For M instant only, the
and sister withheld their hands,
Johns brow grew dark and tho
lush deepencs1 on Roses cheek. Tien,
remembc,ing the obligations Of hospi
ality, they kindly, il not coIdially.
their guests. Rose took Nellie
D her own room, where i score Of giddy
iris were chattering like q flock Of spring
liackbirds, while John and Fred joined
the fellows, up stairs.
Half aa hour later found the whole gay
II the great west barn. Several
hsgs. festooned from beam to
cam, concealed tho hay-noWs, and the
sntcins, hung at every availsbls point,
rilIianty illuminated tho merry scene.
j immense carpenters bench, brought
toH tfe wagon house Ioft. served for !
shlp, % which MI hands were nav
arranging THE contents 81 tho
ashe TAlaaHel tasy MFFagHHsa hs